Sarobetsu (train)

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Sarobetsu
KiHa 183 series DMU on a Sarobetsu service, July 2006
Overview
Service typeLimited express
StatusOperational
First service1 July 1992
Current operator(s)JR Hokkaido
Route
TerminiAsahikawa
Wakkanai
Stops11
Distance travelled259.4 km (161.2 mi)
Average journey time3 hours 45 minutes approx
Service frequency2 return trips daily
Line(s) usedSōya Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)Standard + Green
Disabled accessYes
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stockKiHa 261 series DMU
ElectrificationDiesel
Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owner(s)JR Hokkaido

The Sarobetsu (サロベツ) is a limited express train service between Asahikawa and Wakkanai in Hokkaido, Japan, which is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). Two trains per day operate in each direction, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours 45 minutes.

Stations

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Trains stop at the following stations:

Asahikawa - Wassamu - Shibetsu - Nayoro - Bifuka - Otoineppu - Teshio-Nakagawa - Horonobe - Toyotomi - Minami-Wakkanai - Wakkanai

Rolling stock

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Sarobetsu KiHa 183 series DMU with additional Japanese seating car leading, October 2007

Services are normally formed of 4-car KiHa 261 series DMUs, with Car No. 1 at the Wakkanai end and Car No. 4 at the Asahikawa end. Car No. 1 consists of both ordinary-class seats and the Green Car, while the other cars are ordinary-class cars. All seats are non-smoking. Up until 2007, an additional "Japanese-style seating car" (お座敷車, Ozashikisha) was attached to the train during busy seasons.[1]

Car No. 1 2 3 4
Class Green car Reserved Reserved Reserved Non-reserved
Facilities   Toilets Wheelchair-accessible toilet  

History

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One of the Sōya services changed its name to Sarobetsu on July 1, 1992. At that time both Sōya and Sarobetsu ran between Sapporo and Wakkanai. However, the Sarobetsu service had no green cars, in contrast to Sōya, and stopped at these stations: Sapporo - Iwamizawa - Bibai - Sunagawa - Takikawa - Fukagawa - Asahikawa - Wassamu - Shibetsu - Nayoro - Bifuka - Otoineppu - Teshio-Nakagawa - Horonobe - Toyotomi - Minami-Wakkanai - Wakkanai

The Sarobetsu service was suspended, as the KiHa 183 series, which was the same type of train used for the service at that time, was involved in a fire on the Hakodate Main Line in July 2013.[2] The service was supposed to resume the following month, but was delayed due to the accident investigation and resulting preventative measures.[3] The suspension ended on March 31, 2014.[2] In the meantime, a temporary rapid train service replaced the Sarobetsu.[4]

From the start of the revised timetable of 4 March 2017, the Sarobetsu service was re-routed to operate between Asahikawa and Wakkanai, when the Lilac was introduced between Sapporo and Asahikawa. Also, the KiHa 261 series sets were used to replace the ageing KiHa 183 series sets.

References

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  1. ^ "ＪＲ新幹線＆特急列車ファイル" (JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File), published 2008 by Kōtsū Shimbun
  2. ^ a b "JR宗谷本線 特急サロベツ 運休のご案内" (in Japanese). Wakkanai City website. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  3. ^ 平成25年 第３回定例会（９月） 一般行政報告 (in Japanese). Wakkanai City website. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  4. ^ 「臨時快速」運行（11/1～）に伴うお知らせについて (PDF) (in Japanese). Wakkanai City website. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
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